Search Results
594 results found with an empty search
- Creating an Environment Where Foreign Visitors Can Travel Without Anxiety in Japan
JITTI Journal May 2021 Back to All JITTI Journals May 2021 Feature Article Creating an Environment Where Foreign Visitors Can Travel Without Anxiety in Japan -Formulation of Glossaries and Guidelines for Creating Manuals to Assist Foreign Tourists in an Emergency- by Daisuke Takagi 1. Glossaries for managing foreign tourists in an emergency (1) Background Foreign tourists visiting Japan are often unaware of disaster responses in Japan because they may not face the same types of disasters in their countries. Therefore, even when disaster terms and evacuation procedures used in Japan are translated as they are, there is a problem that foreign tourists may misunderstand the "actions to be taken in the event of a disaster." The Japan Tourism Agency has been translating into multiple languages the sentences explaining necessary actions for foreign tourists to take in the event of a disaster, but these are not "easy-to-understand expressions" for foreign tourists who may lack prior knowledge of disaster responses. For example, there may be alerts and evacuation orders based on geographical knowledge and warning information that pertain to them, but even if they are told, if foreign travelers are unable to comprehend them, they cannot understand how to act. Against this background, the agency created a "Glossary of Terms in Communicating Expressions" aimed at translating emergency information into easy-to-understand expressions so that foreign tourists can understand the actions to be taken in an emergency. (2) Structure This glossary is composed of "expressions" and "terms," and include examples and words translated into multiple languages that are expected to be used at each disaster site. The examples are organized with a focus on "actions to be taken in the event of a disaster," which is important for foreign tourists. In translating, the agency considered foreign tourists who do not have knowledge of the disaster itself, and also considered the expressions foreign tourists usually use in their home countries. Regarding the translation of expressions, the agency shortened the previous expressions, reviewed the examples so that foreign tourists can understand the actions to be taken, and added new expressions necessary for dealing with the COVID-19 infection. 2. Guidelines for creating a manual for foreign tourists in an emergency (1) Background Many local governments in Japan lack resources, such as budgets and staff, for assisting foreign tourists in the event of a disaster, and there are issues, such as the lack of multilingual information provision. The Japan Tourism Agency has created guidelines for local governments to describe disaster responses to foreign tourists in their regional disaster prevention plans. However, some local governments do not prepare foreign tourists in advance of a disaster, and many local governments do not have a designated department to do so. Many tourism-related businesses do not have disaster response manuals for foreign tourists, and assisting foreign tourists in an emergency has become an issue. Therefore, with the aim of demonstrating more specific action policies for local government agencies and businesses that deal with foreign tourists in emergencies, the agency has created a guideline that can be used as a reference when creating and revising the "Manual for Foreign Tourists in an Emergency". (2) Structure This guideline is composed “for administrative / related organizations," which includes local governments and tourism-related organizations (Destination Management/Marketing Organizations (DMOs), tourism associations, hotel associations, etc.), and "for businesses," such as accommodation / tourism facilities, transportation companies, retail shops, etc. Since the roles of local governments and DMOs differ in each region, and systems vary depending on the local government, this guideline should be referred to and used to the extent that it can be implemented according to the actual conditions of each region. The contents to be included in the preparation of the manual for foreign tourists in an emergency are organized into four phases ((a) disaster mitigation, (b) preparation for crisis, (c) response to crisis, and (d) recovery from crisis). In addition, as a reference material for this guideline, a template for information transmission that can be used immediately in the field is attached. Examples of contents to be included in the manual: (a) Disaster Mitigation Calculation of the number of foreign tourists (preliminary confirmation of the number of visitors by country, language, religion, etc.) Determination of the status of disaster prevention facilities for foreign tourists (assessing the status of having multiple languages available at evacuation centers, etc.) (b) Crisis Preparedness Examination of attitudes toward foreign tourists in the event of a disaster (considering differences in the reactions of foreign tourists) Collection and preparation to provide information (Providing understanding of the multilingual information site of JNTO and each transportation system) Provision for multilingual support and evacuation guidance for foreign tourists (evacuation guidance in collaboration with the resident foreign community, etc.) Consideration and preparation for movement and return support for foreign travelers (confirmation of routes to international airports, securing means of transportation) (c) Crisis Response Creation of a list of foreign tourists evacuating to the area (sharing information with embassies and consulates in each country) (d) Crisis Recovery Dissemination of information on the reconstruction situation and foster a mindset for foreign tourists to return to Japan (disseminate information utilizing the foreign resident community, implement foreign monitor tours, etc.) Lastly, in the field of tourism crisis management, Dr. Sunkyung Choi of JTTRI (Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute), has conducted detailed research and analysis, including the evacuation behavior tendencies of foreign tourists during a large-scale earthquake. The research suggests the clear division of roles and cooperation between stakeholders, such as Japanese government, local governments, DMOs, and transportation providers. It also suggests that information providers should prepare materials with the foreigners’ knowledge level in mind, customize content to be foreign country-specific, without simply translating information from Japanese into foreign languages, and diversify information resources for wide information distribution considering that the sources foreigners use have varying degrees of reliability. Additionally, at the conclusion of the research she highlighted the importance of centralized information management, the need for a comprehensive approach to simultaneously consider evacuation plans and information provision for foreign tourists, and the development for “Tourism Disaster Information Management.” (If you want to learn more, please refer to “The 46th JTTRI Symposium on Research: Winter 2019” - https://www.jttri.or.jp/english/events/2019/sympo46.html#event_result . )
- 2020 Transport Safety Symposium | jitti-usa
POSTPONED This event has been postponed until further notice. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause, and thank you for your understanding. We will inform you when this event has been rescheduled. 2020 INTERNATIONAL RAIL SAFETY SYMPOSIUM Promoting Safe Transportation: A Focus on Enhanced Rail Safety Co-hosted by the Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute, USA and the American Public Transportation Association Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004 Washington DC's cherry blossom trees will bloom at the Tidal Basin again this year during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. The history of these trees, which began as an exchange of mutual appreciation, as cherry blossom trees were offered from Japan and a return of dogwood trees were sent from the United States, has marked a near 100-year friendship between these two countries. During this time of celebration and reflection, it is pertinent to ask what Japan and the US can give each other today to sustain this friendship. After taking the initiative through repeated talks to discuss this very question, JITTI USA and APTA are pleased to host a symposium on universal railway safety, an area where both the US and Japan strive for perfection, and where discussion on the unique safety measures of our two countries would lead to the collective betterment of mass transit systems and the day-to-day lives of Japanese and Americans as a whole. In the United States where passenger rail service is one of the safest modes, eighteen times safer than travel by car, the industry strives for continuous improvement and continues to implement upgraded safety measures, such as PTC. At-grade crossing incidents and human-error accidents remain a continuing concern. For railway operators, challenges include strengthening safety measures, utilizing new technologies such as AI and IoT, and fostering a safety culture. These endeavors have global interest. In Japan, past experiences with accidents have been a catalyst for the development of their own railway safety measures, including implementing mechanical fixes such as ATS (Automatic Train Stop) and ATC (Automatic Train Control), as well as promoting a safety culture among railway operators through streamlined safety management systems. These various railroad safety measures, which promote hardware, software, human, and regulatory solutions, have ensured that Japan is a global leader in transport safety. By inviting high-level representatives from Japanese and American railway authorities and operators, JITTI USA and APTA hope to foster a discussion on the current state of existing safety measures and the future direction for strengthening railway safety and safety philosophies. Through this discussion, JITTI USA and APTA trust that as representatives from Japan and the United States work and learn from one another in this specific field, they will foster understanding and sustain the friendship so long ago established.
- 2018 Disaster Prevention Workshop | JITTI USA
JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop 2018 Strengthening Railway Countermeasures against Hurricanes and other Disasters Thursday, December 6th, 2018 The Hay Adams Hotel 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006 Large-scale water disasters caused by hurricanes, typhoons and other storms are occurring more frequently around the world with serious ramifications. They are showing an increasing tendency toward localized and concentrated heavy rain, and there are growing concerns about the intensified damage from water disasters including river flooding, inland water flooding, and storm surges. These situations are considered “a new stage” of water-related natural disasters and the direction and planning of countermeasures to them is essential. In the United States, Hurricane Michael was the fiercest storm to hit Florida in 80 years and caused severe damage in the area in 2018. Also, Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria caused extensive damages in 2017. These three storms became three of the top five worst hurricanes in the recorded history of the USA and caused tremendous amounts of damage. With regards to railway infrastructure, Hurricane Sandy caused billions of dollars in damages in 2012, with subways in NYC suffering serious damage due to the massive inflow of water into stations and tunnels. California also has been greatly affected by natural disasters, with 2018 seeing wide-spread forest fires, torrential rain, and a large-scale landslide that damaged or destroyed over 500 structures. In Japan, torrential rain devastated West Japan, in areas such as Hiroshima and Okayama prefectures in 2018. Train operators completely or partially suspended operations on more than a 100 lines due to the outflow of railroad bridges and the ground under railroad tracks. In 2015, record levels of torrential rains falling in the Kanto and Tohoku regions caused the floodwalls along an approximately 660-foot-long stretch of the Kinugawa River to collapse, resulting in flooding that submerged about 15 square miles of land. Moreover, the Great East Japan Earthquake resulted in the loss of countless number of lives and assets in 2011. It is also predicted that a Tokyo inland earthquake and a Nankai trough mega earthquake will occur in the future. For this workshop, JITI USA has invited experts on the countermeasures against hurricanes and other disasters from the U.S. and Japan to discuss the progress so far, especially milestones accomplished, as well as the future path for strengthening countermeasures against hurricanes and other disasters in the railway sector. Attendees Included: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the US Department of Transportation, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the DC Department of Transportation, the World Bank, etc. Video and Audio Recordings 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Opening Remarks (English) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Keynote Speeches (English) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Panel Discussion (English) Play Video 2018 Disaster Prevention Workshop Video Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Opening Remarks (Japanese) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Keynote Speeches (Japanese) Play Video 2018 JITI Disaster Prevention Workshop- Panel Discussion (Japanese) Play Video 2018 防災ワークショップ ビデオ Watch Now Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info Close Opening Remarks Bio Tomomi Tsuchiya President, JITI USA Remarks Keynote Speeches Hampton H. Hart, Jr. Deputy Director, Technological Hazards Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Bio Presentation Bill Douglas Senior Risk Analyst, Risk Management, LA Metro Bio Presentation Takeshi Kawagoe Senior Chief Researcher, Head of Geology Laboratory, Disaster Prevention Technology Division, Railway Technical Research Institute (RTRI), Japan Bio Presentation Panel Discussion and Q&A
- July 2020
MaaS in Urban Tokyo by Daisuke Miyamoto MaaS in Urban Tokyo by Daisuke Miyamoto 1. What is MaaS? (1) "Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is the integration of various forms of transport services into a single mobility service accessible on demand. To meet a customer’s request, a MaaS operator facilitates a diverse menu of transport options, be they public transport, ride-, car- or bike-sharing, taxi or car rental/lease, or a combination thereof. For the user, MaaS can offer added value through use of a single application to provide access to mobility , with a single payment channel instead of multiple ticketing and payment operations. For its users, MaaS should be the best value proposition , by helping them meet their mobility needs and solve the inconvenient parts of individual journeys as well as the entire system of mobility services.” 2. What has the concept of MaaS done? While the MaaS concept has affected every transportation industry throughout the world, at the same time, Daimler, who is the one of car leading companies in the world, revealed their “CASE” concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. CASE stands for the fields of networking (Connected), autonomous driving (Autonomous), flexible use (Shared & Services) and electric drive systems (Electric) (2) , and will impact the car industry as well. It is said that both innovations will cause a great mobility revolution that is only seen once every 100 years since cars were first developed. Because both concepts help reduce the ownership of cars, curtail carbon dioxide emissions, encourage the use of public transportation and minimize congestion, many countries and companies have been studying MaaS and CASE in order to enlist these concepts. 3. MaaS in Japan (3) The Japanese government has studied MaaS as well to ride the wave of its increasing popularity, and found that when MaaS is simulated in their future investment strategies, it helps the surrounding communities to achieve a high quality of life and mobilizes society by driving up the potential demand for going out. However, because there are many types of cities in Japan, and each one has several types of transportation options, it has been difficult to directly apply a single concept to every city. They have had to consider and develop a way for MaaS to be suitable for Japan, or one might say that they created a Japanese MaaS. Finally, the Japanese government has found that there are 5 suitable types of MaaS in Japan, as follows: a. Metropolis b. Suburb c. Regional city d. Rural area e. Tourism These MaaS types have different goals, but the Japanese government believes that MaaS will be one of the better solutions for an aging society and expanding urbanization. 4. One MaaS Case Study in Tokyo Tokyo Metro, one of the leading subway operators in the world, has recently launched their MaaS project (4) . They called their Metropolis MaaS project “My! Tokyo MaaS." Tokyo Metro has 179 stations, 7.55 million passengers, and a 195.0 km rail network in Tokyo, so they have earned the position to be able to develop a Metropolis type of MaaS. They emphasize 3 concepts in order to add value to their rail network and service, as follows: a. Personalized trip planning and added value Passengers can get easier access to information for their destination, like routes to elevators in stations and paths to take to avoid getting wet when it’s raining. b. Real-time train operation information Passengers can, of course, get real-time transit operation information and train location information, but can also moreover get suggestions of detours in the case of an accident. c. A more precise network Tokyo Metro will work together with other mobility operators to enable passengers to easily access various mobility modes. I believe that this project will assist not only commuters around urban Tokyo, but also foreign visitors. We are in severe times with COVID-19, but I believe that we can overcome it and enjoy travel again someday, of course with “My! Tokyo MaaS.” Fig. Concept image of my! Tokyo MaaS References: https://maas-alliance.eu/homepage/what-is-maas/ https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/ko/CASE-Networked-strategy.xhtml?oid=29182599#:~:text=CASE%20%E2%80%93%20these%20letters%20are%20shaping,corporate%20strategy%20of%20Daimler%20AG . https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001287842.pdf https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/images_h/metroNews20200325_34.pdf Back to All JITTI Journals July 2020 Feature Article
- U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 2
From November 2023 to February 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Volpe Center (a transportation research institute in Massachusetts under the DOT), in cooperation with the DOT Office of the Under Secretary for Policy, jointly hosted a 7-session online event series on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) titled “Up, Up, and Away: Innovations in Advanced Air Mobility.” This online event involved panel discussions by government officials and industry leaders with a specific AAM-related theme for each session; a final report of the sessions was compiled in April 2024. This paper will provide an overview of the key points from each of the seven sessions. < Back Civil Aviation August 2024 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 2 By Shinichiro Tsuri From November 2023 to February 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) Volpe Center (a transportation research institute in Massachusetts under the DOT), in cooperation with the DOT Office of the Under Secretary for Policy, jointly hosted a 7-session online event series on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) titled “Up, Up, and Away: Innovations in Advanced Air Mobility.” This online event involved panel discussions by government officials and industry leaders with a specific AAM-related theme for each session; a final report of the sessions was compiled in April 2024. This paper will provide an overview of the key points from each of the seven sessions. Download the Report
- May 2025
Status of Automated Driving on Subways Status of Automated Driving on Subways by Naoki Sato Automation is advancing across all sectors of society, from logistics and warehouse operations to familiar areas like automobiles and home appliances. In recent years, developments in generative AI and robotics have brought about systems that operate without human intervention, gradually becoming integrated into our daily lives. Many of you may have already experienced some form of this transformation. Subways, which support urban mobility, are also taking part in this trend toward automation. In the past, subways were typically operated manually by drivers and conductors, but in recent years, automatic train operation (ATO) systems have been increasingly adopted in countries like Japan and the United States. In this article, we will explore the definition and classification of automatic train operation in subways, introduce examples of its implementation in Japan, and compare them with the situation in the United States to gain a deeper understanding of subway automation. When people hear that a train has "automated driving" they often imagine a fully unmanned train with no driver or conductor. However, automatic train operation in the railway industry consists of several levels, which are internationally classified under the “Grade of Automation” (GoA) system. For example, GoA1 refers to "non-automated operation" (manual operation), where drivers and conductors control acceleration, braking, door operations, and respond to abnormalities. At GoA2, acceleration and braking are automated, while the driver is mainly responsible for monitoring and emergency handling. This GoA2 level is currently widespread in countries such as Japan and the United States, as mentioned earlier. GoA3 is known as "driverless train operation with an onboard attendant" — trains run and stop automatically, with no driver onboard. The attendant, who is not required to be in the front cab, is responsible for tasks such as emergency evacuation guidance. The most advanced level, GoA4, is fully unmanned — all operations, including monitoring, door control, and abnormality handling, are managed entirely by the system. In Japan, a unique intermediate level called "GoA2.5" — which is not included in the international standards — is also being considered. At this level, a crew member without a train driver’s license rides in the front cab and is responsible for emergency stops, providing a transitional form of operation. Classification of Grades of Automation (GoA) in railway operation. (Adapted from Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), September 13, 2022, "Railway Autonomous Driving Technology Study Group" p. 2) In Japan, GoA2-level operation, which eliminates the need for a conductor, is commonly referred to as “one-man operation,” and it has already been implemented on many lines. For example, on Tokyo Metro’s Namboku Line, one-man operation using ATO (GoA2) was introduced when the line first opened in 1991. That same year, the Toei Subway also introduced one-man operation (GoA2) on the newly opened sections of the Ōedo Line. Since then, this system has expanded to other lines, including Tokyo Metro’s Marunouchi and Yūrakuchō Lines, as well as Toei’s Mita Line. Alongside the introduction of one-man ATO operations, platform doors have also been installed to enhance safety, reflecting efforts to develop the necessary infrastructure for secure automated operations. Through such comprehensive initiatives, urban subways in Japan are steadily progressing toward automation, even if full driverless operation has yet to be realized. More recently, Tokyo Metro announced that starting in 2025, it will conduct demonstration tests aimed at achieving GoA2.5 operation on the Marunouchi Line, in conjunction with the transition to a CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control) system. A photo of the platform doors installed on the Namboku Line ( by Metro Cultural Foundation ) Meanwhile, subway automation in the United States began earlier than in Japan. In Washington, D.C., WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) introduced GoA2-level automatic train operation (ATO) when the system opened in 1976. However, after a rear-end collision occurred in 2009, automatic operation was suspended. Following various safety improvement measures, ATO was reintroduced on the Red Line in 2024. While there were plans to expand automated operation to other lines beginning in 2025, issues such as train overruns emerged after the reintroduction. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) called for thorough investigation and verification before any further expansion. On May 23, 2025, WMATA received approval from the WMSC and began expanding ATO to the Green and Yellow Lines. In recent years, New York’s MTA has developed plans to upgrade its aging signal systems to CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control), and along with this, the introduction of GoA2-level automatic train operation (ATO) is also being pursued. However, due to the substantial costs involved, it appears that expanding the number of lines with ATO will take many years. WMATA GoA Initiatives (Adapted from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), April 24, 2025, “World Class Transit Safety and Operations Committee”, p.9) Up to this point, we’ve taken a brief look at the state of subway automation in Japan and the United States. But why is automatic operation being introduced in subways in the first place? One major reason is to address labor shortages. In Japan, where the population is aging and birthrates are declining, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure sufficient numbers of drivers and conductors. Automation helps reduce the number of required personnel on-site and contributes to maintaining a sustainable operational system. In addition, by systematizing train operations, it reduces human error and improves the precision of on-time performance. (Japan had a high level of punctuality even before autonomous driving was introduced.) Furthermore, in the case of Japan, automation has been implemented in conjunction with platform doors, helping to create safer environments for visually impaired passengers and others. The advancement of automation in subways is not merely about reducing manpower—it also plays an important role in ensuring safety and peace of mind for a diverse range of users. To maintain subways—the “lifelines of the city”—in a safe and sustainable way, automatic operation technology will become an increasingly vital tool in the years ahead. While some countries and regions around the world have already introduced GoA4-level fully automated systems, it is our hope that Japan and the United States—each with well-developed existing networks and similar conditions—will deepen their cooperation and continue working toward even better subway systems. References Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute website (Research report on autonomous driving) https://www.jttri.or.jp/events/2024/sympo55.html Tokyo Metro website: https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/2023/214836.html (Consideration of GoA2.5 on the Marunouchi Line) https://www.tokyometro.jp/news/2024/219601.html (Introduction of CBTC on the Marunouchi Line) Metro Cultural Foundation https://metroarchive.jp/pic_year/year1990/%E3%83%9B%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%89%E3%82%A2-2.html Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/content/001512320.pdf WMATA https://www.wmata.com/about/calendar/events/Safety-and-Operations-Committee-April-24-2025.cfm https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro-to-launch-Automatic-Train-Operation-on-the-Green-and-Yellow-lines-on-May-23.cfm The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/04/09/metro-automation-red-line-safety/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/05/21/green-yellow-metro-automated/ Back to All JITTI Journals May 2025 Feature Article
- November 2019
2020 Expansion of International Air Networks in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport 2020 Expansion of International Air Networks in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport by Hiroki Sakamoto While air passenger transport in the world has been steadily growing, Japan hopes to achieve even greater targets of 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 and 60 million in 2030, and is implementing policies in order to address these increasing aviation demands. One major policy is to enhance the functions of Tokyo metropolitan airports (Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport) and Narita International Airport (Narita Airport)). Efforts are now underway for the two airports to jointly achieve take-offs/landings at the world’s top rates (approximately 1 million per year), roughly the same as those for New York or London. Specifically, efforts are being made to increase the airport capacity by such measures as reviewing the flight paths to and from Haneda Airport and developing a third runway in Narita Airport. In August 2019, the United States and Japanese Government officials in charge of aviation negotiations reached an agreement to increase daytime services (6:00-22:55) between Haneda Airport and U.S. destinations. Among the 50 new international slot pairs created at the airport, they allocate 12 new slot pairs (12 arrivals and 12 departures daily) for U.S. air carriers, and 12 new slot pairs for Japanese air carriers. The new flight services are expected to be available from March 29th, 2020, at the beginning of the Summer 2020 season, and in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. A control tower at Haneda Airport In September 2019, after considerations on how to expand the number of foreign visitors and strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan announced the allocation of slots for 50 flights. For the first time, Russia, Australia, India, Italy, Turkey, Finland, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway) acquired daytime slots into the country. The allocations of slots for the 50 flights are as follows by country: USA: 24 flights China: 8 flights Russia: 4 flights Australia: 4 flights India: 2 flights Italy: 2 flights Turkey: 2 flights Finland: 2 flights Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway): 2 flights Among the 50 flights, 25 flights were allocated to Japanese air carriers (ANA: 13.5 flights, JAL: 11.5 flights in total). USA: ANA 6 flights, JAL 6 flights China: ANA 2 flights, JAL 2 flights Russia: ANA 1 flight, JAL 1 flight Australia: ANA 1 flight, JAL 1 flight India: ANA 0.5 flights, JAL 0.5 flights Italy: ANA 1 flight Turkey: ANA 1 flight Finland: JAL 1 flight Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, or Norway) : ANA 1 flight An aerial view of Haneda airport, which is close to downtown Tokyo The details of slot allocations for each international region are as follows: 1) North America : Currently, both the U.S. and Canada have daytime slots, but for this most recent change, only the slots for the U.S. were expanded. Regarding U.S. air carriers, Delta Air Lines will have flights from Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, Portland and Honolulu; United Airlines will have flights from Newark (N.J.), Chicago O’Hare, Washington-Dulles and Los Angeles; American Airlines will have flights from Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles; and Hawaiian Airlines will have a flight from Honolulu. Delta Air Lines decided that it will fully transfer its U.S.-Tokyo flights from Narita Airport to Haneda Airport, bringing its operations closer to central Tokyo. Regarding Japanese airline routes to the United States, ANA and JAL are each allocated 6 flights. Currently, ANA operates from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, San Jose, Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., New York, and Honolulu, and from Haneda Airport to Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Honolulu. From March 29, 2020, ANA is planning to offer new non-stop services from Haneda Airport to Houston, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle and Washington D.C. Also, ANA will be increasing the frequency of the Haneda - Los Angeles route in 2020. In addition, all routes from Narita Airport to Houston, San Jose, Seattle and Washington D.C., and some routes to Los Angeles, will be relocated to Haneda Airport. JAL operates from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Boston, Honolulu, Kona and Guam, and from Haneda Airport to San Francisco and New York. From March 29, 2020, JAL is planning to establish new services between Haneda Airport and Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and Honolulu. Also, JAL will be increasing the frequency of the Haneda - New York route in 2020. Furthermore, all routes from Narita Airport to New York and Dallas, and some routes to Chicago and Honolulu, will be relocated to Haneda Airport. 2) Asia: China has acquired eight new flights, making it the country with the second most slots after the United States. Currently, both Japanese and Chinese airlines fly to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou during the daytime. India has newly been awarded daytime slots for the first time. There were no additional slots for South Korea. 3) Europe: Currently, there are landing slots during the day time for the United Kingdom, France and Germany. However, no additional slots for these countries were awarded. Slots for Russia, Italy, Finland, Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden or Norway) are newly being applied. From March 2020, daytime services between U.S. cities and Haneda Airport will be drastically increased. That means that US citizens will easily able to travel to local areas in Japan such as Hokkaido, Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa by using the numerous and various domestic connecting flights at Haneda Airport. Why don’t you plan your next journey to Japan by utilizing the expanded and advanced aviation transport networks at Haneda Airport? Back to All JITTI Journals November 2019 Feature Article
- 2016 Tourism Seminar | JITTI USA
JITI 2016 Aviation Tourism Seminar Maximizing the Benefit of the New Haneda Daytime Services October 27, 2016 The St. Regis Washington D.C. 923 16th St NW, Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, Japan and the United States reached a landmark agreement, making it possible for air carriers from both countries to start daytime services between Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) and cities in the United States. These new services will begin on October 30, 2016. Haneda is expected to become another international gateway for the Tokyo Metropolitan area, the other being Narita International Airport, which has long been the only international hub airport in the region. Haneda is located approximately13 miles from downtown Tokyo and also has the largest domestic network in Japan. The opening of Haneda daytime services should create many new business and leisure travel opportunities for passengers from both Japan and the United States. JITI invited representatives from Japanese and US airline companies who will start Haneda daytime services, Japanese and US tourism agencies who play major roles in business and tourism exchange between the countries, tourism consultants and researchers, as well as academic experts who are familiar with both aviation and the tourism industry. This seminar focused on how to maximize the benefits of the new Haneda daytime services to stimulate business and travel demands between Japan and the United States, looking toward the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and beyond. Opening Remarks Makoto Washizu President, JITI USA Bio Keynote Speeches Robert Wirick Managing Director, Regulatory and International Affairs, American Airlines Bio Presentation Akira Kimura Senior Vice President, the Americas, Japan Airlines Bio Presentation Heather Hardwick Rhodes CEO, TravelStyles LLC Bio Hiroshi Kurosu Executive Officer, Chief Researcher, JTB Tourism Research and Consulting Co. Bio Presentation Scott Gilman Managing Director and Co-Founder, JapanQuest Journeys Bio Panel Discussion Dr. Donald Hawkins Professor Emeritus of Management and Tourism Studies, George Washington University Bio
- A Report on Trends of Mobility on Demand in the United States (Part 3)
In Part 3 of our Surface Transportation Analyst, Daisuke Miyamoto's, report on Mobility on Demand in the United States, the rationale for public transportation organizations and transportation network companies to collaborate with each other is detailed, as well as legislation that continues to have an impact on how these groups approach MOD. < Back Surface Transportation A Report on Trends of Mobility on Demand in the United States (Part 3) By Daisuke Miyamoto In Part 3 of our Surface Transportation Analyst, Daisuke Miyamoto's, report on Mobility on Demand in the United States, the rationale for public transportation organizations and transportation network companies to collaborate with each other is detailed, as well as legislation that continues to have an impact on how these groups approach MOD. Download the Report
- November 2022
Japan's Resumption of Accepting Foreigners as a Sign of Recovery from the COVID Pandemic Japan's Resumption of Accepting Foreigners as a Sign of Recovery from the Coronavirus Pandemic By Tetsuhiro Hagiwara On October 11, 2022, the Japanese government drastically eased border control measures (entry requirements) and reopened visa-free entry to Japan for visitors from 68 countries and regions. In a delay of several months after similar measures were relaxed in Europe, the U.S., and other countries around the world, Japan’s ban preventing foreign travelers entering the country was finally lifted. In Japan, there are daily upbeat news reports such as "foreigners are rushing to Japan because of the weak yen" and "foreign tourists are buying explosively again". In this issue, I would like to focus on the resumption of accepting foreign visitors to Japan, which could be a catalyst for the Japanese economy to finally turn upward after the long, long tunnel of the Coronavirus pandemic. 1. Relaxation of border control measures (entry requirements) by the Japanese government First, let us review the entry requirements into Japan as of the end of October 2022. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website, “After midnight on October 11, 2022 (Japan Standard Time), all returnees and entrants to Japan, with the exception of those with symptoms of suspected infection with the coronavirus, will not, in principle, be subject to inspection upon entry, and will not be required to wait at home or in accommodation after entering Japan, to follow up during the waiting period, or to refrain from using public transportation. In principle, no inspection will be conducted at the time of entry for all returnees and entrants, except for those with symptoms. However, all returnees and entrants shall be required to submit either a certificate of vaccination (3 doses) with a vaccine listed on the World Health Organization's Emergency Use List or a certificate with a negative result of a test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the country.” (Image source: NHK) Since March of this year, when the corona outbreak was under control, the Japanese government has gradually eased restrictions on the entry of foreigners, resuming the admission of tourists in June for group travel only, and in September, raising the daily limit to 50,000. However, due to persistent requests from various quarters for the resumption of individual travel and visa-free visits to Japan, the situation has finally returned to a level close to what it was before the Coronavirus pandemic. As a result, the cap of 50,000 daily visitors has been lifted, individual travelers are now accepted, and those entering Japan for tourism purposes from outside the country are exempted from obtaining the short-stay visas that they were seeking, bringing them in line with the entry requirements of Europe, the U.S., and other countries around the world. In comparison to before the Coronavirus pandemic, a certificate with a negative test result within 72 hours of travel is still required for "those who have not received three doses of the vaccine." However, considering the fact that approximately 70% of the world's population has been vaccinated at least once, it can be said that the hurdle has been lowered considerably for travelers planning to visit Japan. The Japanese government has stated that it will continue to require all visitors returning to or entering Japan to present a certificate of three vaccinations or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to departure from Japan. The U.S. and Japan are the only G7 countries that have introduced this measure, and both governments will consider easing the measure after assessing the state of infections domestically and overseas, and the response of other countries. At a post-cabinet press conference on October 18, Digital Minister Taro Kono announced that “Visit Japan Web,” a web-based support site that enables foreign tourists visiting Japan and Japanese nationals returning from overseas to complete quarantine, customs, and other procedures necessary for entry into Japan online, will be integrated with the “MY (My SOS)” (Confirmation of the Health and Whereabouts of the Swine Flu) function, which allows registration of vaccination certificates and negative testimonies for entry requirements against new-coronavirus infection, on November 1. (As part of efforts to unify online pre-entry procedures, MY SOS will cease to be offered on November 14). Some of the information entered so far is common information, such as passport details and date of return, and the integration will reduce the number of times for entering that information and improve convenience. At the press conference, Minister Kono said, "The Visit Japan Web will allow you to complete the necessary (web-based) procedures for entry into Japan. We want to make sure that you enter all the necessary information before you arrive so that you can pass smoothly through the airport". 2. Foreign visitors to Japan enjoying "Cool Japan" and "Cheap Japan” Now, as mentioned above, the hurdle for foreigners to visit Japan has finally been lowered. In Japan, it is reported every day that the number of foreign tourists is increasing in popular tourist destinations such as Tokyo and Osaka. Increasing number of foreign tourists in various places, including tourist destinations "Many foreign tourists in various locations" (Image source: ANN NEWS) Foreign tourists touring Tokyo A woman from Chile- "I really wanted to come to Japan. I feel like I have fulfilled my dream." (Image source: ANN NEWS) Tourists from Denmark listening to a guide in front of Sensoji Temple Regarding the wearing of masks, "The travel agency explained to us in advance that they require strict adherence to the rules for wearing masks in Japan, and we agreed with them before coming on the trip," they said.(Image source: NEWS Post Seven) Some enjoy shopping with the weak yen A couple from Israel Compared to other countries, Japan is cheap and we are very happy." (Image source: ANN NEWS) Foreign man shopping for anime goods in Akihabara “I'm happy with affordable prices because of the weak yen!” (Image source: Nippon Television Network NEWS) 3. Japanese government's intention to aim for 5 trillion yen in tourism consumption per year and expectations from the economic community I would like to share the Japanese government's expectations for inbound consumption and the industry's reaction to the recent significant easing of entry requirements. Before the Coronavirus pandemic, a record 31.88 million foreign travelers visited Japan in 2019. Inbound spending amounted to approximately 4.8 trillion yen annually, bringing significant economic benefits to the metropolitan area and tourist destinations. However, from the start of the pandemic in March 2020, the Japanese government began gradually strengthening its border control measures, and the number of inbound visitors to Japan plummeted to 4.11 million in 2020 and 240,000 in 2021, with the tourism industry still suffering a major blow. Japan continues to have the strictest entry restrictions among the G7 countries, and was in the process of receiving requests from various countries for the resumption of tourism for individuals. As for the Japanese government's intention, Prime Minister Kishida stated in his policy speech in early October that "Japan is a country that has prospered through the free flow of people, goods, and money to and from the rest of the world. With the weak yen and other factors as a backdrop, we would like to achieve an annual inbound consumption exceeding 5 trillion yen, which is more than the amount before the Coronavirus pandemic". With the recent drastic easing of entry requirements, the government intends to resume full-scale tourism. The Japanese government has also announced its intention to formulate a new plan to become a "tourism-oriented nation" by the end of this fiscal year, with the perspective of hosting the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in 2025. Nomura Research Institute estimates that the economic impact of the increase in the number of visitors to Japan will be 2.1 trillion yen in 2023. And SMBC Nikko Securities forecasts that inbound spending will regain its pre-COVID momentum by the end of 2024, taking into account the effect of the yen's depreciation, and is expecting a resurgence of explosive buying by visitors to Japan against the backdrop of the historically weak yen. The response of the economic community to the government's action has, of course, been positive, with airlines, whose business performance had been severely affected by the previous border control measures, seeing a sharp increase in bookings for international flights from overseas to Japan immediately after easing of the ban was announced. JAL (Japan Airlines) (Expressing support for the easing of entry requirements) "We want to be well prepared to welcome our customers and contribute to the recovery of the Japanese economy." ANA (All Nippon Airways), President Inoue "We are very pleased with the long-awaited deregulation. The economic impact of visitors to Japan before the Coronavirus pandemic was approximately 5 trillion yen, and we expect to see a recovery of the same scale. (Also, regarding the resumption of visa-free individual tourism) I believe that many people who have not been able to visit Japan for a long time will be able to come to Japan from now on. We expect to see an increase in demand not only for urban tourism, but also for regional tourism." Narita International Airport Corporation, President Tamura "The reason why the number of international arrivals and departures has not increased is because of Japan's strict entry requirements, so we are very grateful for the easing [or requirements]. I think it will take one or two months to see the actual effect. We will watch with anticipation whether demand for air travel will recover from the year-end and New Year holidays." Conclusion With the recent drastic relaxation of entry requirements, there are high expectations for inbound consumption by foreign visitors to Japan as a catalyst for Japan's economic recovery, but a look at reactions overseas reveals that foreign visitors' mindsets are not necessarily favorable. The Washington Post (U.S.A.), in an article titled "Japan is reopening. But the effects of its border closure will linger," pointed out the following. "Japan strictly limits foreign arrivals out of covid-19 concerns, a scientifically specious approach that has made the country an outlier among top economies and most Asia-Pacific neighbors that have reopened to tourists. Xenophobia has festered as policymakers and news coverage have tied foreigners to the spread of the virus. Investors, academics and international students have diverted their plans elsewhere. Even after Japan began accepting group tours recently, the intense monitoring and bureaucratic hurdles have largely kept tourists’ interest at bay. Now, Japan faces a credibility gap as it looks to rejoin the world. Figures in business, academia, policymaking and diplomacy are concerned the closure has punctured Japan’s image as a culture that values hospitality. Even with a full reopening, Japan would need concrete steps to restore its standing." Also, Chinese tourists, who were the main source of demand and inbound consumption in Japan before the Coronavirus pandemic, spending approximately 9.5 million in 2019, are expected to take a certain amount of time to return to Japan as overseas travel is still heavily restricted under the Chinese government's strong "Zero Corona Policy." The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that the number of world travelers will exceed the pre-COVID level by 103% in 2024 compared to 2019, but only 97% will be in from the Asia-Pacific region, and it will be 2025 before the number exceeds pre-COVID levels. In the Asia-Pacific region, the recovery is expected to be delayed in China, where restrictions have not been eased. Other reasons for why the number of foreign visitors to Japan and inbound demand is unlikely to return to 2019 levels all at once, according to Nomura Research Institute, include the current high rate of new infections in Japan compared to other countries and the fact that many countries will refrain from overseas travel if the global economy slows in the future due to soaring prices and tightening monetary policies. However, we should learn from the experiences and measure outcomes of Europe and the U.S., which have been ahead of other countries in restoring borders and accepting foreigners during the coronavirus pandemic, and look forward to future trends to revive "Japan, the land of hospitality" that attract tourists from all over the world, while meanwhile balancing preventing the spread of infection and recovering inbound travel. References: Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.mofa.go.jp/p_pd/pds/page22e_000910.html Japan Tourism Agency https://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/shisaku/kokusai/traveltojapan.html NHK News https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/special/coronavirus/restrictions/detail/detail_95.html The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/16/japan-covid-restrictions-tourist-xenophobia/ Nomura Research Institute https://www.nri.com/jp/knowledge/blog/lst/2022/fis/kiuchi/1006 Global Outlook for Air Transport Times of Turbulence - IATA https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/airline-industry-economic-performance---june-2022---report/#:~:text=The%20financial%20recovery%20will%20continue,from%20our%20end%2D2021%20forecast.&text=all%20regions%20in%202022%2C%20with,return%20to%20profitability%20this%20year Image Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbah4XUIQco https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Be4jom6WZQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp_sQw9T954 Back to All JITTI Journals November 2022 Feature Article
- Financing Development of Public Transport-oriented Urban Growth and Subway Infrastructure at New York City’s Hudson Yard through Profit Gained from the Development Itself (Part 4)
The redevelopment project for Hudson Yard is the largest in New York City history, and consequently comes with unique financial challenges and ingenuity. Part 4 of this series presents unexpected debts and bonds, the impact of building completion and movement into the area, and characteristics needed to successfully complete a project such as the one done for Hudson Yards. < Back Surface Transportation Financing Development of Public Transport-oriented Urban Growth and Subway Infrastructure at New York City’s Hudson Yard through Profit Gained from the Development Itself (Part 4) By Tomomi Tsuchiya & Daisuke Miyamoto The redevelopment project for Hudson Yard is the largest in New York City history, and consequently comes with unique financial challenges and ingenuity. Part 4 of this series presents unexpected debts and bonds, the impact of building completion and movement into the area, and characteristics needed to successfully complete a project such as the one done for Hudson Yards. Download the Report
- Provincial city - Niihama (Ehime prefecture, Shikoku)
JITTI Journal Cultural Article January 2018 Back to All JITTI Journals January 2018 Cultural Article Provincial city - Niihama (Ehime prefecture, Shikoku) by Shinichi Yamada Niihama city, located on Shikoku Island, is surrounded by mountains on its east, west and north sides, and faces the Inland Sea on its north. The population of the city is about 120,000 and the city is the sixth largest city on Shikoku. This article will introduce Niihama and the traditional culture of Niihama. It takes about 6 hours to travel to Niihama from Tokyo, and it is not easy to travel there from overseas. However, I would be very glad if through this short article you gain interest in Niihama and its regional culture. History of Niihama (Sumitomo Group and Besshi copper mine) In Japan, Niihama is known as the town where Sumitomo Zaibatsu (the predecessor of the current Sumitomo Group) established their foundation after they discovered the Besshi copper mine at the end of the 17th century. At that time, the Besshi copper mine was said to turn out the world's largest output of copper. Therefore, despite the fact that Niihama is inconvenient to get to, Niihama developed as an industrial city, and there are many main factories of the Sumitomo Group located in Niihama even now. The mine itself is now closed, but there is a sightseeing spot built to commemorate it. We can learn about the mining history of the Besshi copper mine, and also enjoy the hot spring and local foods. Traditional Festival (Taiko-dai Carnival) The Taiko-dai Carnival, one of the three biggest festivals in Shikoku, is held every October and more than 100,000 tourists visit. "Taiko" means drum and "dai" means cart in English. The origin of Taiko-dai is unclear, but it is said that the cart that carries offerings in order to thank God for the blessings of nature. The carts are about 6600 lbs, 16 ft tall, and 40 ft in length. During the festival, 150 people carry it throughout the town while beating the drum placed inside of the taiko-dai structure, which is hollow. Each area of Niihama has its own Taiko-dai, and there are 53 Taiko-dai total in Niihama. (Taiko-dai) One of the highlights of the festival is called "Kaki-kurabe". Multiple Taiko-dai are gathered together and lifted with human power only. Each area competes for the strength and harmony of the bearers. Sweets originated in Niihama (Hatada Marron Taruto) Hatada Marron Taruto is like a roll cake covered in a citrus-flavored bean paste with chestnuts, wrapped in a sponge cake. It is said that the origin of this sweet is a torta (a roll cake wrapped in jam in Castella) which came from Portugal to Japan about 350 year ago. The jam was changed to bean paste, and current roll cake was developed. This roll cake is a Japanese-style confectionery and has an elegant and rich taste. It is slightly sweet because of citrus flavor in the paste. It has been awarded the High International Quality Trophy in the Food products Selection every year since 2006. Like various countries, each town in Japan has an individual history and culture. Niihama is not a famous city even in Japan, but I think my hometown is a wonderful city with its own culture. Did you get interested?
.png)








